After confirming that so many of the students were about to reach level 40, Flander decided to wait a few more days.
If they all reached level 40 around the same time, they could obtain their spirit rings together.
Waiting a few days wasn't a problem.
"Originally, I planned to give each of you one-on-one special training," Flander said. "But your current strength has far exceeded my expectations. So instead of individual sessions, I've decided to focus on team training."
He stroked his chin, a thoughtful look flashing across his eyes.
The strength of these little monsters was increasing too quickly. The concern wasn't just power—it was whether they could control and coordinate that power effectively.
In one-on-one combat, the issue might not be obvious. But in group battles, even a small mistake could cause the entire team to collapse.
The priority now was for the team to become familiar with their own progress—and more importantly, with each other's strengths and abilities.
"Erlong, I heard that your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Academy has a special class made up of extremely talented students," Flander said, turning to Liu Erlong, who was in his arms. "Why don't we form a team and have them go up against our little monsters?"
Liu Erlong didn't even look at him. She just turned her head away.
The spectators were a little stunned—they hadn't expected Liu Erlong to refuse Flander so bluntly.
Seeing their surprised expressions, Liu Erlong smiled faintly.
"What are you thinking?" she said. "With your current strength, even the top seven students from that special class probably couldn't beat you."
"Don't forget, Tai Tan was one of the strongest students in that class."
Even though Liu Erlong was no longer at the academy, she knew exactly what was going on there.
Her words left the Shrek students a little embarrassed.
"They're not suitable for sparring with you—but our teachers are," she continued. "Boss Fu, we haven't fought in a while. Don't you want to stretch a little?"
Her beautiful eyes locked on Flander, a fiery smile spreading across her face.
She had once been the vanguard of the legendary Golden Triangle.
Oscar and the others might not have sensed anything, but Ma Hongjun, who knew Liu Erlong well, immediately raised an eyebrow.
Given the current situation, using Liu Erlong and the others as sparring partners was clearly the best choice.
Their strength far surpassed that of the students, and they could push the Shrek Seven Monsters to unleash their full power.
Fighting ordinary opponents would only make them hold back.
"Erlong, you just want to test your own strength, don't you?" Flander said, a wicked grin curling his lips.
The two rare herbs they had received from the disciple had greatly improved their strength.
Thanks to their yin-yang dual cultivation, many of their old injuries had also healed.
Liu Erlong's smile widened.
"Flander, you're always praising how strong these little monsters are. You trained them yourself—why don't you be their touchstone?"
With her lips curled up in a playful arc, Liu Erlong looked stunning in the sunlight. She radiated a kind of intellectual elegance, the kind of mature beauty that young girls couldn't match.
"Alright!" Flander agreed without hesitation—how could he say no to the woman in his arms?
"Dean, go easy on us, please..." Oscar said with a wry smile. "You guys are all at an average strength of level 80—we're only at level 40."
He winced. He didn't understand how the gap between them had suddenly become over 40 levels.
Dai Mubai rubbed his forehead in frustration, though his golden eyes still gleamed with the pride of a king.
To him, powerful opponents had never been a burden—they were challenges to be conquered. Previously, they were too weak, and their only sparring partners had been random peers selected by the dean.
But with the dean's strength, it would be child's play to train with them directly.
"We'll give you one day to prepare," Flander said. "Tomorrow, we'll suppress our strength to level 50."
"If you can't even beat us then, there's no point in participating in the Advanced Spirit Master Competition."
With that, Flander waved his hand in style, hugged Liu Erlong, and walked off.
The Shrek Seven Monsters were left looking at each other in shock.
"Fatty, we're barely at level 40, and the dean is going to fight us at level 50…" Oscar muttered.
"Exactly, and we still have to win," Ma Hongjun replied.
Oscar looked like the world had collapsed.
Thanks to the magical herb he'd received from Ma Hongjun, his soul power had already reached level 38.
But he still had two levels to go before reaching 40.
As a food-type soul master, his cultivation speed was already slow. Even with the help of the fairy herb, it was still difficult to break through in such a short time.
"This is our challenge," Ma Hongjun said. "This is the threshold we must cross if we want to compete in the Advanced Spirit Master Competition."
"Oscar, Rongrong—you two haven't reached level 40 yet. So the rest of us will take the lead in the battle."
"Your job will be to support us as best you can. Every bit of soul power you use will help push you forward."
Ma Hongjun smiled, his eyes glowing with confidence.
His energy was contagious. Oscar, who had looked so hopeless just moments ago, now stood up straight—eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
Royal Academy
"Headmaster, why can't I withdraw?" Dugu Yan said sharply, facing the three elders in front of her.
Normally, she wouldn't need to report her decision to leave the Royal Academy to the headmaster. But despite how long this had dragged on, they still hadn't approved her request.
Meng Shenji looked helpless.
Lately, the Royal Academy had been suffering a serious talent drain.
Qin Ming's sudden departure had been a huge blow to the institution. The three headmasters still hadn't recovered.
A thirty-something spirit master at level 60 would almost certainly become a Titled Douluo in the future.
But he had left without warning during that fiasco.
Dugu Yan was also exceptionally talented. Even if she didn't reach the level of Titled Douluo, she was sure to become at least a Soul Douluo.
How could they just let her go?
More importantly, this girl had a Titled Douluo backing her.
Given the circumstances, there was no way they could allow her to leave easily.
"The Royal Academy has always given you the best training," Meng Shenji said gently. "Why do you want to leave?"
"If it's a matter of resources, we can renegotiate. We're willing to increase our investment in your training."
These young talents were the future of the empire, and they couldn't afford to lose them so easily.
"I want to join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Academy," Dugu Yan replied flatly.
Hearing that name, Meng Shenji glanced at the other two elders.
That was the same academy those other children had joined after leaving.
Thinking of them, a flicker of regret passed through Meng Shenji's eyes.